Yes, you often have to state where your product is made, especially for food, cosmetics, and goods imported/exported, due to consumer protection and customs laws like the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) in the U.S. or Australian Consumer Law (ACL). While some non-food items might have fewer mandatory origin rules, accurate labeling of manufacturer/importer details, quantity, and origin is generally required for safety, import/export, and to prevent consumer deception.
U.S. Customs requires that products be labeled with their country of origin. Learn more about these guidelines and the penalties for not following the rules.
You are not generally required to label goods with their country of origin, though this is required for some products (see 11). If you do choose to show the country of origin, you must provide accurate information.
Every article of foreign origin entering the United States must be legibly marked with the English name of the country of origin unless an exception from marking is provided for in the law.
The country of origin is generally required to import or export goods. But there are some conditions under which the country of origin is exempt. The exemptions are different for different countries as per their customs and other regulatory authorities.
Declaration of origin
Experience has shown that Chinese importers often require a certificate of origin. In most cases, this means the movement certificate for confirming the preferential origin and not the "traditional" certificate of origin.
Can I issue my own Certificate of Origin? No. Certificates of Origin are official customs documents and can only be issued and attested by authorised issuing bodies (Chambers of Commerce in the UK).
FAQ: “Made in China” Label Requirements
Yes. Every imported product must display its country of origin unless it qualifies for a rare exemption under CBP rules.
Under current Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, a product may be advertised as “Made in the USA” if “all or virtually all” of the labor and materials in the product are domestic.
In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, the general rule is that the indication of the country of origin or place of provenance shall be mandatory where failure to indicate this might mislead the consumer as to the true country of origin or place of provenance of the food.
Is country of origin marking mandatory for products sold in the USA? Yes, you must mark the country of origin for almost all products sold here. Labels should say where they were made, like “Made in Vietnam” or “Made in China.”
However, under the federal statute 19 U.S.C. § 1304, items from China must be marked Made in China (not made in PRC - sorry Wikipedia) in a clear, legible, permanent and easily viewable manner. *Item must be marked (if possible).
Federal law requires that most textile and wool products have a label that lists the fiber content, the country of origin, and the identity of the manufacturer or another business responsible for marketing or handling the product.
Imported products must be clearly labeled with their country of origin, even if part of the process occurs in a third country. The country of origin is determined by the substantial transformation test, which determines where the product underwent a substantial change.
in commercial advertising or promotion, misrepresents the nature, characteristics, qualities, or geographic origin of his or her or another person's goods, services, or commercial activities, shall be liable in a civil action by any person who believes that he or she is or is likely to be damaged by such act.
Retail firms such as fish markets and butcher shops, as well as small stores that do not sale the threshold amount of fresh produce, are exempt from country of origin labeling requirements. Restaurants and other food service establishments (cafeterias, lunchrooms, institutions, etc.) are also exempt.
The law now states that the limitation on “Made in the USA” labeling does not apply if either: (1) the part of the product produced outside of the U.S. constitutes less than 5% of the “final wholesale value of the manufactured product,”; or (2) if the manufacturer can demonstrate that “it can neither produce the ...
The Tariff Act of 1930, which built on the 1890 law, required that “every article of foreign origin (or its container) imported into the U.S. shall be marked with its country of origin,” unless it had special exemptions. Retailers are responsible for the labels.
Retailers must supply the “country of origin” for specific foods including fresh fruit and vegetables, unprocessed meats, fish, wine and olive oil but the rules do not generally apply to processed meat or frozen or processed fruit and vegetables.
China's "0.1% rule" refers to its October 2025 export controls, requiring licenses for foreign products containing ≥0.1% by value of certain Chinese-origin rare earths or made with controlled Chinese rare earth tech, extending China's jurisdiction extraterritorially to high-tech supply chains like EV magnets and AI chips, impacting global industries by giving Beijing leverage over critical materials. This "de minimis" rule creates significant compliance burdens for foreign firms, potentially halting supply of advanced tech.
Yes, approximately 90% of people in China own their homes, making it one of the highest homeownership rates globally, a result of significant housing reforms starting in 1998 that privatized public housing, alongside strong cultural emphasis on owning property as a marker of stability and a prerequisite for marriage, though it's important to note ownership is of the building, not the land, which remains state-owned. Urban rates hover around 87%, while rural rates are over 95%, with many families owning multiple properties.
One of the main reasons so many products are made in China is their cost efficiency. For decades, China has been able to offer lower labor costs compared to other countries, which makes it attractive to companies aiming to keep production costs down. Lower labor costs are only one part of the equation, though.
A Step-by-Step Guide To Create Your COA
FTA certifications are optional, and not required for shipments to clear customs. However, goods shipped without one may be assessed standard tariff rate, so be sure to include an FTA certification of origin.